Seasonique

Other Brand Names Containing the Same Estrogen and Progestin

Alesse, Enpresse, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lutera, Lybrel, Nordette, Portia, Sronyx, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora

Other Brands of Birth Control that Contain the Progestin Levonorgestrel

Emergency Contraceptives: Plan B, Plan B One Step, Next Choice
Monophasic: Alesse, Aviane, Lessina, Levlen, Levora, Lutera, Lybrel, Nordette, Portia, Sronyx
Multiphasic: Enpresse, Levlite, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora
Extended Cycle Pills: Jolessa, LoSeasonique, Quasense, Seasonale
Non-pill Methods: Mirena (IUD)

What Makes it Different

• Seasonique is an Extended Cycle pill. Extended cycle pills allow women to have only four periods per year. Additionally, each period should only last three days.
• All brands, including Seasonique, containing the progestin levonorgestrel have been FDA approved for use as Emergency Contraceptives.
• Before using Seasonique as Emergency Contraception, speak to a healthcare professional.
• To use Seasonique as an Emergency Contraceptive, take all pills no more than 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours (three days).
• Dosage for emergency contraception: take four light blue-green pills and, exactly 12 hours later, take another four light blue-green pills.

How it Works

Seasonique (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) contains the female hormones estrogen and progestin, which work to prevent pregnancy in three ways. First, the hormones prevent the release of an egg from one of the ovaries (ovulation). It also causes the cervical mucus to thicken, blocking sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Lastly, Seasonique prevents the uterine lining from thickening, making it less hospitable to implantation.

Oral contraceptives are only to be utilized as a form of birth control. The Pill does not protect against the transmission of HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

How to Use

Take your first pill on the first day of your period or the first Sunday after your period has begun. Use Seasonique as your healthcare provider has instructed. Do not take more often or for longer than your healthcare provider mandates.

If you miss a dose of Seasonique, your risk of pregnancy will be increased. There are ways to make up for missing a pill that will maintain the effectiveness of the birth control. For further instruction, contact with your healthcare provider immediately upon realizing you’ve missed one or more pills.

Effectiveness

Seasonique has been shown to prevent pregnancy in over 99% of situations when it is the only birth control method utilized and when Seasonique is used exactly as directed.

Cost

Most birth control pills cost $15-50 per pack.

Benefits

Seasonique is an Extended Cycle pill. Extended cycle pills allow women to have only four periods a year. Additionally, each period should only last three days.

All birth control pills, Seasonique included, have also been shown to have the following possible benefits:

• Menstrual cycle may become more regular, and blood flow may become lighter (reducing the chances of anemia)
• Cramps or other pain during menstruation may become less intense and/or frequent
• Noncancerous cysts or lumps in the breast may occur less frequently
• Ectopic pregnancies may occur with less frequency
• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease may occur less frequently

Risks

All birth control pills, including Seasonique, can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack, especially for women who smoke and/or are older than 35. Women taking oral contraceptives should not smoke.

Possible side effects include

• Mild Nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps
• Headache, nervousness, dizziness or tired feeling
• Changes in menstrual period
• Decreased sex drive
• Breast pain, swelling or tenderness
• Increased hair growth or loss of scalp hair
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Freckles or darkening of facial skin
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Problems with contact lenses